Warm weather plumbing and drainage problems

It can often seem that plumbing problems occur at the most inconvenient time. You can almost guarantee a cracked pipe or unlit boiler in the middle of winter after getting home from work. Of course, they don’t deliberately break down at these times, it’s just that these are the times when we put the most pressure on plumbing systems and appliances.

Common warm weather plumbing problems

During the warmer weather of spring and summer, you might experience plumbing issues that you won’t see when the temperatures are cooler. Here are some of the more common warm weather plumbing issues to keep an eye on.

Slow-Clearing Shower Drains

A summer beach trip is fun, but your shower can suffer when you all get home. Sand, shells and pebbles get caught up in bathing suits at the beach and empty out in the shower, which could build up to block the drain. To avoid blockages and an overflowing shower tray, get everybody to rinse off at the beach in the public showers and take off their bathing suit before they get in the shower at home. Another tip to avoid clogged drains is to regularly remove hair and fluff that will collect debris.

Pipes

Bacteria, dirt and waste trapped inside pipes can smell horrific, particularly as the weather warms up. If there’s less water passing through the pipes because of a drought or hose pipe ban, bad smells can linger. Common causes are grease or fibres caught below the grid on the plug-hole which will slow down but probably no stop water from draining away. If the water doesn't drain away at all, you've got a complete blockage - which means there must be an obstruction in the waste pipe. You can try to unblock your sink yourself by following our guide or, if the problem is bigger, contact ABS to sort it out for you.

Outdoor drains

Leaves lingering from autumn or a sudden stormy downpour in summer can quickly create a blockage which might need a professional to get the drains back to full working order. Drain unblocking can be a complex procedure with care required to ensure that no damage is caused as the blockage is eradicated. Tree roots searching for water can also get into your sewage or drainage system, making small cracks larger.

If you notice a blocked drain, contact ABS to to keep things flowing in domestic and commercial properties.

Washing Machines

You could be doing a lot more laundry when the weather heats up. You and your family are likely to be more active, children will be playing outside more and they will find any source of mud or dirt available! Stick to small loads to avoid blockages that can lead to overflows. Check the hoses and connectors to and from your machine for leakages or kinks. Consider moving your washing machine out from the wall by a couple of inches to give it a bit more air circulation and reduce the risk of overheating.

Blocked Toilet

A blocked toilet is never convenient, especially when the family is all at home for the summer, or you have visitors during the holidays. Remind the kids to use only as much toilet paper as is necessary, and things like food and baby wipes should never be flushed! Keep a plunger on hand to deal with small blockages, but if the problem is more serious, call ABS to deal with it, we're available 24/7 and 365 days a year!

Heating

It’s getting warmer, but we might still need a little boost from the heating either first thing in the morning or later at nightwhen the temperature drops. You'll also still be using hot water for washing and cleaning.

The warmer months are a good opportunity to give your plumbing and heating system a professional makeover and maintenance check. You can ensure that the heating you will really rely on come the wintry months is ready for action, to make sure it won't let you down when you need it most.

Contact us for to service your boiler or treat it to a power flush to get everything flowing nicely. Find out more about our boiler and heating services.

UV Damage to Exposed Pipes

Not many homeowners consider protecting exposed pipes all year round, but you may end up having UV damage as the sun beats down on them all day, even here in the UK! PVC pipes and guttering that are subject to UV rays may discolour and weaken over time. Replacing guttering and pipework during the summer when they are subject to less use is a very good idea.

Contact us if you think you might need to replace guttering or pipework.

Don’t let plumbing problems ruin your summer holidays. A bit of attention and care can stop problems from occurring at a time when you should be relaxing with your feet up. Contact ABS for advice and support with summer maintenance.